Timber blasting device



Feb" 22, 1938., L, SAWYER 2,3Q9A35 TIMBER BLASTING DEVICE Filed March 23, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l inventor Aiiorneys Feb, 22, 1938. L H gAWYER 2,1U9A35 I TIMBER BLASTING DEVICE Filed March 25, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /3 ITIUiZTItOT Jeazzam??? 512M967,"

Patented Feb. 22, 1938 UNlTED STATES Gi FEQE Application March 23,

1 Claim.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in timber, log and post blasting devices and appliances; and the primary object of the invention is to generally and structurally improve upon devices of this type by providing a specifically distinct insert or plug expressly designed to more satisfactorily perform the function for which it is intended and to make more efiicient the splitting and rending of stumps, logs, and analogous timber.

As implied by the preceding introductory paragraph, I am sufficiently conversant with the prior state of the art to realize that different types of blasting plugs have been perfected with a view toward concentrating the explosive power of the charge at a point of vantage within the vicinity of the heart or core of the timber being acted on. It follows, therefore, that in reducing to actual practice the specific principles of the present invention, I have perfected an unusually simple and convenient self-lodging plug adapted to effectively accommodate the powder charge, and to substantially regulate the discharge of the exploding force in such a way that the rending power is focused at the extreme inner end of the device, where it is most effective to accomplish the desired results.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate corresponding mechanical details throughout the views:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the complete device ready to receive the charge.

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal sectional View taken approximately on the plane of the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the. line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section through the inner end of the device, the section being on the line 4 i of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a View on a slightly reduced scale, the section being on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a detail view of the closing plug for the combustion chamber.

Referring now to the drawings by distinguishing reference characters, it will be observed that the major part of the implement is denoted by the numeral 1 and this is in the nature of a suitable metal shaft some 13 inches or more in length, This is a body substantially cylindrical in crossunder average or normal conditions.

1937, Serial No. 132,628 (Cl. 102--6) sectional form and the inner end thereof is bored to provide an axial centrally arranged socket, properly elongated, said socket being denoted by the numeral 8 and constituting the charge receiving chamber as well as the combustion or explosive chamber. Leading into the inner end of this pocket or chamber 8 is a somewhat diagonal passage 9 to introduce the inner end of the slow burning fuse (not shown). This fuse passage or opening 93 registers with a groove lil extending longitudinally in one side. of the body to accommodate a portion of the fuse. The fuse ccommodation channel or groove ill extends into a tool hole 5 i formed transversely of the outer end portion of the body I. This hole I I serves to accommodate a removable rod which is used as a handle to turn the device into the log or other object to be blasted. It is centrally located and serves as an indicator usable in association with the diametrically opposite holes l2 formed in the inner end portion of the plug 1 and intersecting the combustion chamber 8. The extreme inner ends of these opposed holes l2 are beveled outwardly, as indicated at the point l3, to substantially match the substantially V-shaped inner end of the closing plug i l. That is to say, the closing plug has beveled surfaces forming a sort of a wedge, as indicated at l5, and these surfaces coincide with the surfaces 13 when the plug is properly inserted flush with the adjacent end of the main plug 7, as shown to advantage in Figure 2.

The numeral l6 designates a spiral cutting and imbedding thread formed on the inner end portion of the plug or body 7 to facilitate. placement and secure anchorage. V

In loading the blasting plug, a piece of slow burning fuse some 6 inches long is inserted at oneend in the fuse hole 9 so that it extends into the combustion chamber 8. The outer end of the fuse is pressed into the groove it where it is protected and substantially flush with the circumferential surface of the plug l. Thus, when the plug is threaded into place, it does not interfere with or dislodge the fuse from said channel or groove i0. Next, the threaded or inner end of the plug is turned up, that is, held up and With the thumb covering one of the holes E2, the powder is poured into the other hole to fill or partly fill the chamber 8. Next, these two holes l2 are plugged with paper or the like (not shown) to close them and to maintain the powder in the combustion chamber in readiness for the explosion.

In preparing the log for insertion of the device, an auger is used to drill or bore a hole in the log, stump, or other object to be blasted. Experience and judgment must be called upon to determine how deep the hole is to be augered according to the cross-sectional dimension of the timber to be blasted. With large timbers the device must be screwed into the angered hole clear up to the point H, as the purpose of the invention is to focus the explosion deep in the timber to insure effective results. A handle-bar or similar device is inserted through the hole I l and the device is threaded into the hole. Preparatory to this, however, the closing plug I4 has been placed in position and welded or otherwise secured temporarily in place.

The sharp edged screwing or feeding thread IB insures proper lodging or" the device in the drilled hole. Moreover, the threads cooperate with the wall of the hole to maintain the plug securely anchored and to avoid escapage of pressure around the peripheral portion of said plug. No special retaining devices or blocking is need-ed to secure the device in place, as the threads serve equally well to accomplish the desired results. By making the hole H in the same radial direction as the holes l2, it can be determined by positioning it either up, down, or to one side,

as to what position the holes [2 have in the center or core of the log. Inasmuch as it is desired to direct the explosive forces in the most advantageous manner in relation to the cross grain of the wood, it is evident that it is important to properly spot the openings [2 to accomplish this result. The position of the hole H at the outer end therefore determines the exploding positions of the holes I2 in the log. Hence, when the fuse is fired and explosion takes place, the force is expended first against the beveled deflecting sur-- faces l5 of the closing plug l4, whereupon the forces escape more or less equally through diametrically opposed holes [2, thus concentrating the power of the explosion at the point desired.

It is believed that a blasting plug of this type is structurally ingenious, eflicient, aptly fitted for the purposes intended, easy to place in position and remove, and otherwise well adapted to insure predetermined explosive results. It is unnecessary, however, to delve into the commercial aspects of the invention, for it is believed that the points of advantage are sufiiciently self evident to justfy unqualified endorsement by the trade.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

A blasting device of the class described comprising an elongated member of circular shape in cross section and having a centrally arranged bore extending from its inner end to an intermediate point of the member and providing a powder receiving chamber, a spiral thread forming rib on the exterior circumference of said member, said rib being of V-shape in cross section and extending from the inner end of the memher to an intermediate point thereof, the outer end of the member having a transverse hole therein and the inner end having a single pair of diametrically opposite arranged holes therein communicating with the bore and slightly spaced from the inner end of the member, said holes extending in the same radial direction as the first-mentioned hole, whereby the first-mentioned hole acts as indicating means for the pair of holes as well as a handle receiving hole, a plug closing the inner end of the member and having its inner end of wedge shape and the pair of holes each having its inner side walls sloping outwardly towards the inner end of the member and these sloping walls forming continuations of the sloping walls of the wedge-shaped part of the plug and said member having a passage therein leading into the closed end of the bore for receiving a fuse.

LEONARD H. SAVVYER. 

